A Thousand Miles

Surrounded by US troops, Confederate General Stonewall Jackson’s army found it necessary to cross a certain river. Jackson pulled his team of engineers together and told them to immediately build a bridge so his army could cross the river. He stressed the urgency of crossing the river as soon as possible.

The wagon master gathered all the logs, rocks, fence rails, and scrap lumber he could get his hands on. He scoured the forest, countryside and neighboring villages and towns for supplies and by the end of the day they had built a bridge.

Shortly before daylight, the wagon master reported to General Jackson that all of the supplies, wagons, and artillery had been moved across the river as commanded.

Not sure if he’d heard correctly, Jackson asked for the news to be repeated. He was amazed at how quickly the word had been carried out to completion. He called in the engineers and asked them how the work had been done in less than a day. The engineers didn’t know what Jackson was talking about; they were still working on the plans for the bridge.

Each of us have good intentions about things, even spiritual things. We know we should pray, read the Bible, go to church, and help others in need. We know and want to do these things, but we can’t seem to get started. We’re still trying to figure out how and where to begin, when the best way to begin … is just to begin.

The saying is that The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. It just so happens to be true. So begin your spiritual journey today with just one step. God doesn’t expect you to run a spiritual marathon before you’re able; but He does expect you to be walking rather than sitting around planning to walk.

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going (Ecclesiastes 9:10).